Banana Strategy Task Force Set Up

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Tuesday, February 13, 2001 – A Task Force with the mandate to refine and adapt a recently drafted strategy for the Windward Island Banana Industry to St. Lucia’s own peculiar circumstances has been established.

In a statement to the Saint Lucia House of Assembly, Tuesday, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony emphasised that while this strategy offers a general direction for the industry, the Government of Saint Lucia has recognised that it does not take into consideration the peculiarities of the Saint Lucian environment. Government believes that a solution to the challenges facing the local industry needs to be refined through a process in which all parties in the private and public sectors can agree on the way forward.

The local Task Force has the responsibility to refine and focus the Windward Islands Strategy so that it represents a practical solution to the challenges facing the Saint Lucian industry. The Government in discussion with the European Commission Delegation on the issue has secured their commitment to financing the operations of the Task Force.

Meanwhile in an effort to ensure that the Task Force conducts its operations in a non-partisan manner both political parties of the island have been requested to nominate one person to serve on the Task Force. The private sector has also given favourable response to become involved in fashioning a restructuring of the banana industry and for this reason the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Lucia Employees’ Federation are being invited to be represented on the Task Force. There will also be representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Development, Environment and Housing and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The Task Force will be chaired by Mr. George Theophilus who has long and wide ranging experience in the workings of the banana industry, with Mrs. Heraldine Rock, a long standing farmer with extensive knowledge of the industry, as the Deputy Chairperson.

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